A new study has revealed that non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are causing more deaths worldwide than melanoma, which was previously considered the most common cause of skin cancer deaths. The study, conducted by European researchers using data from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer, found a “high incidence” of skin cancer in fair-skinned and elderly populations from various countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, and Italy.
According to the lead author of the study, Professor Thierry Passeron, “In 2020, NMSC accounted for 78 per cent of all skin cancer cases, resulting in over 63,700 deaths. In contrast, melanoma caused an estimated 57,000 fatalities in the same year. The significantly higher incidence of NMSC has, therefore, led to a more substantial overall impact.”
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in both the US and the UK, with approximately one in five individuals expected to develop it in their lifetime. NMSC refers to a more common group of skin cancers that develop slowly in the upper layers of the skin, while melanoma is a more aggressive form that can spread to other parts of the body.
The researchers believe that NMSC is underreported, suggesting that its actual impact may be higher than estimated. Both NMSC and melanoma are primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds.
Professor Passeron emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential fatality of NMSC, stating, “We have to get the message out that not only melanoma can be fatal, but NMSC also.”
Symptoms of NMSC
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the first sign of NMSC is usually the appearance of a persistent lump or discolored patch on the skin that gradually worsens over time. Cancerous lumps are typically red and firm and may develop into ulcers, while cancerous patches are generally flat and scaly.
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